{"id":737,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=737"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","slug":"57-rodogune-act-five-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06\/57-rodogune-act-five-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-57_Rodogune-Act Five-Scene-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nAct Five <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/b> <\/p>\n

\nThe palace in Antioch.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n
\n   SCENE I <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nA hall in the palace.
\nPhayllus., alone.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy brain has loosened harder knots than this.
\nTimocles gets by this his Rodogune;<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat’s one thing gained. Tonight or else tomorrow
\nI’ll have her in his bed though I have to hale her
\nStumbling to it through her own husband’s blood.
\nFor he must die. He is too great a man
\nTo be a subject: nor is that his intention
\nWho hides some subtler purpose. Exile would free him
\nFor more stupendous mischief. Death! But how ?
\nThere is this Syrian people, there is Timocles
\nWhose light unstable mind like a pale leaf<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTrembles, desires, resolves, renounces.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTimocles enters.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPhayllus,
\nIt is the high gods bring about this good.
\nMy great high brother, strong Antiochus
\nTo come and kneel to me! No hatred more!
\nHe is the brother whom I loved in Egypt.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, wilt thou always be, thou shapeless soul,
\nClay for each passing circumstance to alter ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDo you not think I have only now to ask<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 438<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd he will give me Rodogune ? She’s not his wife!
\nCast always together in the lonely desert,
\nLong nearness must have wearied him of her;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor he was never a lover; O Phayllus,
\nWhen so much has been brought about, will you tell me
\nThis will not happen too ? I am sure the gods
\nIntend this.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo you think Antiochus comes
\nTo lay his lofty head below your foot ?
\nYou can believe it! Truly, if you think that,
\nThere’s nothing left that cannot be believed.
\nThis soul that dreamed of conquests at its birth,
\nThis strong overweening swift ambitious man
\nWhom victory disappoints, to whom continents
\nSeem narrow, will submit, you say, \u2014 to you ?
\nYou’ll keep him for your servant ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat is it you hint?
\nStroke not your chin! Speak plainly. Do you know,
\nI sometimes hate you!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI care not, if you hear me
\nAnd let me guard you from your enemies.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know you love me but your thoughts are evil
\nTo every other and your ways are worse.
\nYet speak; what is it you fear ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow should I know?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 439<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nYet this seems probable that having failed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy violent battle he is creeping in<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo slay you silently. You smile at that?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is the commonest rule of statesmanship<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd History’s strewn with instances. Believe it not;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBelieve your Wishes, not mankind’s, record;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSlumber till with the sword in you you wake
\nAnd he assumes your purple.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(indifferently)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI hear, Phayllus. Let him give me Rodogune
\nAnd all’s excused he has ever done to me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe will keep her and take all hearts besides
\nThat ever loved you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(still indifferently)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will see that first.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCleopatra enters quickly.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEOPATRA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is true, Timocles ? It is even true ?
\nAntiochus my son is coming to me,
\nIs coming to me!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThus you love him still!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEOPATRA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is my child, he has his father’s face.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I shall have my Parthian Rodogune<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith her sweet voice and gentle touch, and her,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy darling, my clear-eyed delight, Eunice,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I shall not be lonely any more.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have not been so happy since you came<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom Egypt. But, O heaven! what followed that?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 440<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWill now no stark calamity arise<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith Gorgon head to turn us into stone<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVenging this glimpse of joy? Torn by your scourges<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI fear you, gods, too much to trust your smile.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNicanor enters.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAntiochus comes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHail, thou victorious captain,
\nSyria’s strong rescuer!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSyria’s rescuer comes,
\nThy brother Antiochus who makes himself
\nA sword to smite thy dangerous enemies.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou used not once to praise him so, Nicanor.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause I knew not then his nobleness
\nWho had only seen his might.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet had you promised
\nThat if he entered Antioch, it would be chained
\nAnd naked, travelling to the pit or sword,
\nNicanor.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe comes not as a prisoner,
\nBut royally disdaining to enslave
\nFor private ends his country to the Parthian.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 441<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nComes my dear brother soon?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEven at this moment<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe enters.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSummon our court. Let all men’s eyes behold
\nThis reconciliation. I shall see
\nNext moment Rodogune!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThere enter from one side Callicrates, Melitus,
\nCleone, courtiers; from the other Antiochus, Eunice,<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRodogune, Thoas, Leosthenes, Philoctetes.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO brother, in my arms! Let this firm clasp
\nBe sign of the recovered amity
\nThat binds once more for joy Nicanor’s sons.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTIOCHUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis is like thee, my brother Timocles.
\nLet all vain strife be banished from our souls.
\nMy sword is thine, and I am thine and all
\nI have and love is thine, O Syrian Timocles,
\nDevoted to thy throne for Syria.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll?
\nBrother! O clasp me once again, Antiochus.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTIOCHUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Syrian land once cleansed of perils, rescued
\nFrom these fierce perils, I shall have thy leave,
\nBrother, to voyage into distant lands;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut not till I have seen your Antioch joys
\nOf which they told us, I and my dear wife,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 442<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe Parthian princess Rodogune. See, brother,
\nHow all things work out by a higher will.
\nThou hast the Syrian kingdom, I have her
\nAnd my own soul for monarchy.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis wife!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>ELITUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe King is pale and gnaws his nether lip.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTIOCHUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMother, I kneel to you; raise me this time
\nAnd I will not be forward.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEOPATRA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy child! my child!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe will not give me Rodogune! And now he’ll steal
\nMy mother’s heart. Captains, I welcome you:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou are my soldiers now.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tL<\/font>EOSTHENES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe thank thee. King.
\nWe are thy brother’s soldiers, therefore thine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes! Philoctetes, old Egyptian friend,
\nYou go not yet to Egypt?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HILOCTETES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know not where.
\nI have forgotten why I came from thence.
\nI hope that you will love your brother.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 443<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHim!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh yes, I’ll love him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTIOCHUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBrother Timocles,
\nWe have come far today; will you appoint us
\nOur chamber here ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll take you to them, brother.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll leave the hall except Cleone and Phayllus.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEONE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs this their peace ? But he’ll have Rodogune
\nAnd I shall like a common flower be thrown
\nInto the dust-heap.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPooh!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEONE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have eyes, I see.
\nEven then I knew I would be nothing to you
\nOnce you were seated. I’ll not be flung away!
\nBeware, Phayllus; for Antiochus lives.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMake change of lovers then with Rodogune
\nWhile yet he lives.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEONE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI might even do that.
\nHe has a beautiful body like a god’s.
\nI will not have him slain.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 444<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou may be his widow
\nIf you make haste in marrying him; for soon
\nHe will be carrion.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTimocles returns.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ld have a word with you,
\nPhayllus.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nCleone withdraws out of hearing.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhere will they put the Parthian Rodogune ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPut her?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTo sleep, dull ruffian! Her chamber! Where ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhy, in one bed with Prince Antiochus.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou bitter traitor, dar’st thou say it too ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nArt thou too leagued to slay me ? Shall I bear it ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn my own palace! In one bed! O God!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI will go now and stab him through the heart<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd drag her, drag her \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEONE
\n\t<\/font>(running to him)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe foam is on his lips!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRestrain thy passions, King! He is transformed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis is that curious devil, jealousy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs if it mattered! He will have her soon.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 445<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCleone, I thank you. When I think of this,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSomething revolts within to strangle me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd tears my life out of my bosom. Phayllus,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou spoke of plots; where are they ? Let me see them.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat’s hard. Are they not hidden in his breast?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCan you not tear them out?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTorture your brother!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTorture his generals; let them howl their love for him!
\nTorture Eunice. Let truth come out twixt shrieks!
\nNumber her words with gouts of blood!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ll hurt yourself.
\nBe calmer. Torture! To what purpose that ?
\nIt is not profitable.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will have proofs.
\nWilt thou thwart me, thou traitor, even thou?
\nArrange his trial instantly, arrange
\nHis exile.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nExile! You might as well arrange
\nAt once your ruin.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere shall be justice, justice.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 446<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThou shalt be fairly judged, Antiochus.
\nI will not slay him. Exile! And Rodogune
\nWith me in Antioch.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nListen! the passing people sing his name. –<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey’ll rise to rescue him and slay us all<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs dogs are killed in summer. Command his death:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo man will rise for a dead carcase. Death,
\nNot exile! He’ll return with Ptolemy
\nOr great Phraates, take your Syria from you,
\nTake Rodogune.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI give my power to you.
\nTry him and sentence him. But execution,
\nLet it be execution. I will have
\nNo murder done. Arrange it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes out followed by Cleone.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhile he’s in the mood,
\nIt must be quickly done. But that’s to venture
\nWith no support in Syria when it’s done
\nExcept this brittle king. It matters not.
\nFortune will bear me out; she’s grown my slave girl.
\nWhat liberties have I not taken with her
\nWhich she has suffered amorously, kinder grown
\nAfter each handling. Watch me, my only lover!
\nSudden and swift shall be Phayllus’ stroke.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 447<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Act Five   The palace in Antioch.      SCENE I     A hall in the palace. Phayllus., alone. PHAYLLUS My brain has loosened…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","wpcat-15-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/737\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}